Railway-switch.



F. N. CORDELL.

RMLWAY SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED JUNEB, 1914.

1,1 32,242, Patented Mar. 16, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

me Nrmre/S PETERS Co., PHL/n/LHHJ.. wAsHlNa 10N. n. C.

P. N. CORDELL. RAILWAY SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 8, 1914.

Patented Mar. 16, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

6mm: FRA NK /V. CO/PofL L,

"HE NOHRIS PETERS Cov, PHOTc-L/THO., wAsHlNGoN, D, C

F. N. CORDELL.

RAILWAY SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE s, 1914.

L I 82,242. Patented Mar. 16, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

M W L/V 445 1HE MORRIS PETERS Ca. PHOTO-LITHD.. WASHINGTON. D. L

FRANK N. CORDELL, OF WEBSTER GROVES, IVIISSOUR-I.

RAILWAY-SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 16, 1915.

Application led .Tune 8, 1914. Serial No. 843,627.

T0 all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK N. CORDELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of `Webster Groves, in the county of St. Louis and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railway-Switches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to railway switches, and particularly to those in which the switch is operated by the movement of the car, the object being to provide an improved railway switch of the character described which is simple in construction and effective in operation.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of improved means to be carried by the car for operating the switch.

Further, the present invention consists of the novel features of construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims.

Tn the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, in which like numbers of reference denote like parts wherever they occur, Figure 1 is a plan view of a railway switch embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 2 2, Fig. l; Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3 3, Fig. 2, showing the switch closed; Fig. 4 is a similar view, showing the switch open; Fig. 5 is a sectional view on theline 5 5, Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line 6 6, Fig. 2; Fig. 7 is a fragmentary front elevation of a car equipped with means for operating the switch; and Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the same.

The switch embodying the present invention preferably is inclosed within a casing or boxing 1 having extensions 2 at the ends thereof, which extensions may be formed with any desired cross-sectional configuration suitable for connection with the ends of the adjoining rails of the track by fish-plates 3 and bolts 4 or other suitable means. Said casing is preferably formed with somewhat of an inverted U-shaped cross-sectional configuration, the top of same being provided with a tread portion 5 and a flangeway 6 and the bottom being provided with laterally-projecting flanges 7 by means of which the casing is spiked or otherwise secured to the ties 8. At a suitable distance from the ,point ofthe switch-tongue 9, which is pivotally mounted in a recess or depression 10 in the top of the casing 1 in any well known manner, there is an opening 11 1n the bottom of the fiangeway 6 to receive and support a depressible member 12. The member 12 is preferably formed with somewhat of a T-shaped configuration, and the lower end of its upright portion is preferably bifurcated, one end of a lever 13 being pivotally attached to and between the prongs 14 of said member by means of a pin 15. The lever 13 extends longitudinally between the side walls of the casing 1 and is fulcrum'ed on a pin 16, which is supported in openings in the side walls of the casing. Said pin 16 is held in place by a Cotter-pin 17 or other suitable means, so that same can be readily removed to be replaced by a new one, when worn out or broken, or for any other purpose. The free end of the lever 13 extends below the switch-tongue 9 and is normally supported in a V-shaped notch 18 in a cross web 19 of the casing, the shape of the notch causing this end to be centered below and substantially parallel to the axis of a cam 20. This end of the lever is preferably formed with a diamond-shaped crosssec-tional configuration and is adapted to operate the cam 20 in the manner hereinafter described, in order to set the switchtongue either for the main line or the turnout. The fulcrum pin 16 is predeterminedly and accurately located between the ends of the lever 13 so that, when the member 12 is depressed in the manner hereinafter described, the lever will be rocked on its pivot 16 and will cause its free end to move upwardly sufficiently to operate the cam 20, the longer arm of the lever being its free end and being heavier than the combined weights of its shorter arm and the member 12, so as to hold the lever in and restore same to its initial position. In order to permit lateral movement of the free end 0f the lever 13, when rocked on the fulcrum pin 16, said lever is slotted longitudinally at 21 and 22 to receive the pins 15 and 16, respectively, in said slots.

The cam 2O is located between a pair of lugs 23 formed integrally with or secured to the casing 1 by any suitable means and is revolubly mounted on a pin 24 which connects said lugs. The opening 25 in the cam 20 through which the pin 24 extends is provided with notches 26 and 27 in its upper part and is made relatively larger than the pin 24 so that the cam 2O will have sufIicient play upon said pin to permit of the actuation of said cam, the pin 24 having a ridge 28 on its top which is adapted to seat either in the notch 26 or the notch 27 to hold the cam 20 in one of its set positions. A rigid pin or projection 29 borne by the switch-tongueV 9 extends through a slot 30 in the bottom of the flangeway 6 and projects into a notch 31 in the upper edge of the cam 20, so that, when the latter is rocked on the piny 24, it will shift the switch-tongue 9 to open or close the switch. rl`he lower part of the cani 20 has notches 32 and '33 formed therein which notches are so arranged that one or the other will be in position to receive the free end of the lever 13 when the latter is rocked. By this arrangement, 'whenever `the lever 13 is rocked, its free end moves upwardly and enters either the notch 32 orv the notch 33 depending upon the position. of the switch-tongue 9.

1n case the switch Vis closed, the cam' 2O will occupy the position depicted'in Fig. 3, wherein the ridge 28 of the pin 24 seats in the notch 26. If the lever 13 is rocked by the depression of member 12, while the cam 20 is in the position just described, the free end of the'lever will move upwardly and enter the notch 32, striking the inclined side 34 of the latter and then sliding upwardly along said side until it strikes against the other side 35 of saidnotch, thereby raising the lcam 2O suficiently to disengage the notch 26 from the ridge 28 of the pin 24 and, also, vrotating said cam clockwise sufficiently to move the switch-tongue 9 from the position depicted in Fig. 3 to the position illustrated in Fig. 4, with the result of opening the switch for the turnout, whereupon the lever returns te its initial position and the cam descends' and rests upon thel pin 24 with theV ridge 28 of the latter seating in the notch 27. In case the switch is open'for the turnout and the lever 13 is rocked by the depression of the member 12, the free end of the leverv will move upwardly and enter the notch 33', striking the inclined side 36 of the latter and then sliding upwardly along said side until it strikes against the other side 37 of said notch, thereby raising the cam 20 sufficiently to disengage the notch 27 yfrom the ridge 28 of the pin 24 and, also, rotating said cam counter-clockwise sufficiently to move the switch-tongue 9 from the position depicted in Fig. 4 to the position shownin Fig. 3, with the result of closing the switch for the main line, after which the lever returns to its initial position and the cam descends Vand rests upon the pin 24 with the ridge 28 of the latter seating in the notch 26. The return of the-lever 13 to its normal position centers the free end thereof in the notch 18 in the web 19 directly below the axis of the cam 20-as hereinabove described.

45 at the front of the car.

n openings may be provided with a removable cover-plate 39.

While for the purpose of illustration, the invention is depicted in the form of a switch for a left-hand turnout, yet it should be understood that same may be made inthe e form of a switch for a right-hand turnout.

ln order to operate the switch, each car 40 is equippedwith a. pair of tripping devices 410i any suitable construction, one of which trips is to be operated by the motorman, when the car is approaching the switch, to eifect either the opening or closing the switch.'l For lthe purpose of illustration, manuallyV operated trips 41 are; shown in Figs. 7 .and-8, but it should be understood that anyV suitable air or electric appliance (not shown inthe drawings) may be employed to operate each device.

As shown, each trip 41 consists of a bellcrank 42, which is'pivotally attached at 43 to a bracket 44 carried by the truck frame One arm of the bell-crank 42 carries a roller 46, which is revolubly attached vat 47 thereto, and the other arm of said bell-crank has one end of a iieXible member 48, such as a'wire rope or the like, fastened thereto, said flexiblemember 48 being arranged to pass over a pulley 49, which is supported by the platform of 'the car 40 in any suitable manner, and being Vfastened a't'its other end to a drum v50 borne by a 'rotatable rodl or shaft 51, which is revolubly supported by the car platform by means of a bracket 52 or the like, said rod or shaft bearing a handle 53 which affords a means by which the motorman can rotate same. A spring 54 is arranged to hold .the bell-crank42 normally in and to return same to a position to keep the roller 46 above the level of the track, as best seen in Fig. 8. One trip is located directly above one rail 55 of the track and the other directly above the other railf55, as shown in Fig. 7, the flexible members 48 being connected in such manner to the drum 50 that thel turning of said drum in one direction will wind one of the members 48 thereon and thereby effect the operation of one of the switch-throwing trips 41, while Vthe turning of said drum in the op-A posite direction will eft'ectthe operation of the other switch-'throwing trip. By this ardescend and ride in the flangeway 6, whereby said roller rides over the member 12 and depresses same, with the result that said member effects the throwing of the switch through the medium o1c the lever 13 and cam 20. in the manner hereinabove described, it being understood that the motorman keeps enough pressure applied to the handle 53 to cause said roller to depress the member 12, when riding upon the latter. After the switch has been thrown as just described, which can be observed by the inotorman, he releases the handle 53, whereupon the spring 54 restores the previously actuated bellcrank 112, member 48, drum 50, shaft 51, and handle 53 to their normal positions.

in order to prevent the roller lo from striking the end wall et the opening 11 that is nearest to the switch-tongue 9, when passing out of engagement with the member 12, the bottom of the flange-way 6 adjacent to said end wall of the opening 11 is depressed toward said opening to form an incline 5G, up which the roller yl@ rides after leaving the member lt should be understood that the {langeway 6 is of sutticient depth to prevent the member 1Q from being depressed by the {lange-s of the car-wheels.

lt will be evident that by reason of the cam 20 being notched to interlock with the rit oi"- its supporting pin 2in as hereinabove described, same will hold the switch-tongue securely in its set positions and will prevent the switch-tongue from being .moved out of such positions by the jarring ot' the car or by vehicles passing over the switch. However, this arrangement is such that it will permit the switch-tongue to be thrown by a switch-bar in the usual manner, ii'' so desired.

Various changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the nature and spi 1it or" the present invention.

It is believed that the operation of the switch will be readily understood from the foregoing, and requires no further description.

l claim:

1. ln a switch of the character described, the combination with a movable tongue, of a rocking lever, means for depressing one end of said lever, a revoluble cam adapted to actuate the tongue, means tor oscillating said cam by the rise of the other end ot said lever, and means borne by said cam adapted to interlock with its support.

2. ln a switch of the character described, the combination with a movable tongue, of a pivoted lever, means for actuating the saine, a cam connected with the tongue and adapted to be oscillated by the movements of said lever, said cani having an opening therein with a pair of notches in its edge,

and a pin passing loosely through said opening and having an upstanding ridge which is adapted to interlock with either notch in said opening thereby to hold the tongue in its set positions.

3. ln a switch of the character described, the combination with a movable tongue, ot a lever pivotally supported and sharp on the upper edge of its free end, means for raising this end, and a cam adapted to actuate the tongue and having in its lower edge a pair or notches, the free end of said lever being adapted to operate said cam by striking in either oi said notches.

Ll. ln a s iitch of the character described.l the combination with a movable tongue, of a lever pivotally supported intermediate ends so as to be capable of moving laterally, means connected with the lighter end of sai l lever for actuating saine, a reveluble cam adapted to actu: te the tongue and having a pair of notches in its periphery, the heavier end ot' said lever being adapted to actuate said cam by striking in either of said notches, and a cross web having a tf-shaped notch under the pivot of said cam adapted to center the heavier end or said lever when the latter descends.

5. ln a switch of the character described, the combination with a movable tongue, of a pivoted member rocking vertically and vibrating laterally, means for actuating same, a cam operative by said pivoted member adapted to actuate the tongue, and a support having a tf-shaped notch adapted to center said pivoted member normally for operative engagement with said cam.

6. ln a switch of the character described, the combination with a` movable tongue having a rigid depending projection, of a lever pivotally supported intermediate its ends, a depressible member connected with one end of said lever for actuating same, and a pivoted cam having a notch in its upper edge engaging said projection and adapted to actuate the tongue, said cam also having a pair of notches in its lower edge, the free end of said lever being adapted to oscillate said cam by striking in either of said lower notches.

7. ln a switch ot the character described, the combination with a movable tongue, of a lever pivotally supported intermediate its ends, a depressible member connected with one end of said lever for actuating same, and a cani adapted to actuate the tongue and having a pair of notches, the free end of said lever being diamond-shaped in cross-section and being adapted to operate said cam by striking in either of said notches.

8. ln a switch of the character described, the combination with a movable tongue, of a lever pivotally supported intermediate its ends, means operatively connected with one end of said lever for actuating same, a revoluble cam adapted to actuate the tongue and being operative by the free end of said lever, and means borne by said cam adapted to interlock with its support.

9. ln a switch of the character described, the combination With a movable tongue, of a lever pivo-tally supported intermediate its ends, means operatively connected with one end ot' said lever for actuating same, a cam adapted to actuate the tongue and being operative by the tree end of said lever, said cam having an opening therein with a pair of notches in its edge, and a pin revolubly supporting said cam and having a ridge which is adapted to interlock with either notch in said opening thereby to hold the tongue in its set positions.

l0. In a switch of the character described,

Y the combination with a movable tongue, of

a lever pivotally supported intermediate its ends so as tobe capable of moving laterally, mea-ns connected with one end of said lever for actuating same, a revoluble cam adapted to actuate the tongue and having a pair of notches in its periphery, the tree end of said lever being adapted to actuate said cam by striking in either of said notches, and supporting means adapted to cent-er the free end ot said lever normally below7 the axis oft rotation of said cam.

11. In a switch of the character described, the combination with a movable tongue, of a lever pivotally supported intermediate its ends so as to be capable of moving laterally,

means connected with one end of said lever for actuating same, a revoluble cam adapted end of said lever being adapted to hold saidlever and its actuating means in and to restore saine to their normal positions. Y

12. In a switch of the character described, the combination with a movable tongue having a depending projection, of a lever loosely supported so as to be capable of moving vertically and laterally, means connected with. said lever for actuating same, a revoluble cam having in its upper edge a notch engaging said projection and adapted to actuate the tongue, said cam also having a pair ot' notches in its lower edge, the other end et said lever being adapted to actuate said cam by striking in eitherot said lower notches, and supporting means adapted to center the tree end of said lever normally below the axis of rotation of said cam. Y

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

FRANK N. coRDELL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the.Commssioner of Patents,

Washington. D. C. l i 

